OCR Text |
Show TIMES August 10,2006 Summer Continued from 1 Military retirees, families gather at Hill for Wing Retiree Appreciation Day BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS JENNY CHONG Hilltop Times stafl Many military retirees and their families gathered at the Club Hill Ballroom Friday to attend the 75th Air Base Wing Retiree Appreciation Day. "Retiree Appreciation Day is to provide them with information directly from representatives from different organizations," said Peter Villafana, 75th Services Division projects and facilities officer. "It's a chance to talk to the representatives that we have here. This day is focused towards the retirees and their needs." The guest speaker was Richard Jones, national legislative director for the National Association for Uniformed Services. He spoke about recent ongoing activity in Washington D.C. A hot topic for Mr. Jones' was the recent identity thefts of U.S. veterans. Although none of the data was compromised, Mr. Jones warned retirees that they should protect themselves against the possibility of theft. "Everyone in this room had their identity threatened by this," he said. "Clearly, it is the General Cameron Continued from 1 and logistics at the Pentagon. He is a career aircraft maintenance officer and has held key positions in commands located in Europe, the Pacific, U.S. Central Command and at Air Force Headquarters. "The Air Force has gone through a period of significant change since I first joined," he said. "The size of the Air Force has decreased roughly by half, and the number of aircraft and the number of wings has been cut drastically. In addition, our force presence overseas has been cut significantly. But, the biggest change I've seen has been in the quality of our workforce. I think that the people we're hiring in the Air Force are the cream of the crop. It's our people that make the Air Force the world's leading air and space power. "The thing that impresses me most, as I visit areas in the wing, is the attitude of everyone I meet. Everybody is very focused on working aggressively on transformation issues and very focused on pushing the warfighter agenda," General Cameron said. "The people are why this wing is great — not (Department of) Veterans Affairs' responsibility to secure that data. You need to protect yourself." • Other topics included Defense Department budget, healthcare and bills that are at Congress to be passed. veryone in this room had their identity threatened by this/' — Richard Jones The most important is veteran's benefits, Mr. Jones said. Attendees also saw presentations by TRICARE, the 75th Medical Group, Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration. necessarily the equipment we have, but the people who are working with it. It's the great attitude we have. Every single person I've met has been very enthusiastic about the changes and what's going on in the wing. There is a momentum going on and I fully intend to keep it going." General Cameron is a staunch supporter of the Lean and transformation efforts that were in place when the 309th Maintenance Wing stood up on Feb. 24, 2005, and he has continued to pursue additional Lean initiatives. "The Air Force has to transform — we have no choice. Resources are dwindling, and in order to stay competitive and to produce the best products we can within those dwindling resources, we have to become more efficient," he said. "And the only way to become more efficient is to transform. "The 309th Maintenance Wing has been used as a model for leading the transformation effort. It's obvious that the maintenance wing and the entire Ogden ALC has fully embraced transformation efforts." The efforts have paid off, as the wing has received several maintenance-related honors during the past year, including the Air Force Various exhibits were also set up in the enlisted lounge of Club Hill to provide additional information to retirees. Some of the exhibitors included the Army and Air Force Exchange Services, the base pharmacy, the Health and Wellness Center, the legal office, the Hill Aerospace Museum and the American Cancer Society. "It's been very informative," said Jackie Tucker, who traveled 150 miles from Altamont, Utah, to attend the event. "We've been very impressed and it was well worth our time. A lot of the questions we wanted to ask were answered before we even asked." The day ended with the 'Salute to Our Nation's Defenders' picnic, where retirees and their families were invited to join Hill's military members and be recognized for their service. "I look at Retiree Appreciation Day as a requirement," said Lt. Gen. (ret.) Marc Reynolds. "There's a lot going on that affects retirees." For more information about retiree activities, contact the Retiree Activities Office at 7775735. Maintenance Effectiveness Award, and the gold-level Shingo Prize for Excellence in the public sector for F-16 maintenance. With the continued emphasis on a more efficient workplace, General Cameron says the 309th is increasing its support to the warfighter. "We are becoming more competitive in leading edge technology, and in software and composite work," he said. "We are aggressively working partnerships and partnering efforts with industry and producing some original equipment manufacturing capabilities." Art Cameron entered the Air Force in 1976, largely through the influence of his brother, Bob. "I never envisioned joining the Air Force when I graduated from high school," he said. "I went to college, but when I ran out of money, I looked at my brother's lifestyle. He was an Air Force recruiter and thoroughly enjoyed his lifestyle." After his recruiter-brother promised that the Air Force would pay for his college education, General Cameron enlisted and served four years in the enlisted ranks as an aircraft maintainer, before receiving his commission <.*•!-. v/ne TO THE BASE his year, one of the most exciting events in Hill's history will unfold: breaking ground for the base's brand new housing plan. This includes the construction of new homes as well as major renovations of existing homes. FRIDAY, AUGUST 11TH vme (3000 Minuteman Way) "/>-\f";:-'.^- •^•^f0-;'vV 10:00 AM - RIBBON CUTTING I1-?S gft/ie cv?ienttie& b m Two, three, and four - bedroom homes • Two car garages • Spacious floor plans .. .-•,' \ • Pets welcome • Fenced yards ' ,/; ; •-... ';.'• • New splashpad IBHMHI BOYER HILL MILITARY •• New playgrounds/trails J • No application fees • •••Active military families only 00 For more information, call 801.776.5001, orvisitwww.bhmh.com body parts to burns. Three weeks is still a long time to go, so please be especially mindful and alert to potential hazards. It's easy to get distracted, especially with seemingly simple tasks. Don't pack in every last thing you didn't get to do during the summer into these next three weeks. There are bound to be things you can do in the fall months just as easily as can be done in the summer. Finally, pay attention to your fatigue level. Not only are we less efficient when we're tired, but, we're less patient with ourselves and others. Don't get in a rush; slow down and enjoy yourself. These cautionary remarks may seem painfully obvious, but if they were, we'd have zero mishaps resulting in pain, medical bills and a decline in one's quality of life. Enjoy these last few prime weeks of summer. But, please be smart, assess risks and maintain situational awareness. Be safe! in 1980 through Air Force Officer Training School. "And the Air Force did pay for my college like my recruiter promised," he added. General Cameron's family has a long history of military service. His grandfather, Arthur B. Cameron Sr., was wounded in Europe during World War I. His uncle, Arthur B. Cameron II, was an Army lieutenant who was killed in France during World War II, while his father, J, Robert Cameron, served in the Philippines duringWorldWarll. As a second lieutenant, General Cameron was assigned as the officer in charge of the Maintenance/Munitions Branch of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing (now the 388th Fighter Wing) at Hill from 1980-83. While he was assigned to the 388th, he met and married his wife, Susan. She had moved with her parents to Ogden from Manhattan Beach, Calif. The Cameron's have a son, Charlie. "I'm a guy who enjoys getting up in the morning and going to work," the General said. "I believe that everyone should work in enjoyable conditions. I firmly believe in a quality working environment." |